Is young N'Dong the new Lee Cattermole? Five yellows and a ban before Xmas was usually Lee's forte. Who else is walking the fifth yellow tightrope and could miss some of the Christmas games? Anybody know where to check on it as surely Pinnaer must be close. Thoughts anyone.
I know this won't be popular but I just don't rate the lad even against Leicester he was poor and regularly gave the ball away and slowed down our own play. He's a young lad though and very athletic so time is on his side but he doesn't look sharp enough mentally to play premier league football. I know I touched on his record price status vs Liverpool, but his would be my genuine opinion of him if he'd came on a free.
I think he's looked OK at times - against Leicester he was trying some pretty difficult passes which a number were only feet if not less away from reaching their intended target. Still getting used to the game N'Dong - he's a combative central midfielder much like Cattermole - Catts normally wouldn't have lasted this long without a ban if he had played as many as N'Dong! Last season is the first time Lee Cattermole has ever managed to not accumulate a 5 or 10 yellow card match ban where he's played regularly I think!. Mind I thought his yellow, in context, was harsh as it was a similar situation to when Anichebe was pulled down in an attacking position for us iirc and the Swansea player didn't get a yellow.
He seems to be going about his business very quietly, I've not heard a peep out of anybody about him, outside of this forum. Not sure if it's a good or bad thing. Edit: Apart from the international thing.
On the original point I don't thinks he's a "Catts" type player. Since Poyet calmed him down most of Catts yellow have been unavoidable take one for the team bookings. Ndong is a series offender of little niggly fouls and sometimes not being clever enough and Snodgrassian players have took advantage.
Exactly! Probably the best in the league for that part of the game. I'd love him if he played for us but he's a dirty French prick. But I don't think Ndong's dirty just a bit clumsy
We need him for his athleticism but it doesn't look like there's much quality there. Short passing is ok, control is ok and he has good situational awareness. Overall he's on about an average 6.5 so far this season. 0.5 better than Rodwell.
Cabaye was a shocker. Not in the Scholes league of "you can't blame me I'm just a ****e tackler" but deserved far more booking and sendings off for us. Tiote always seemed to get booked just for breathing whilst Cabaye was seemingly actively trying to break legs - the Kick It Out campaign are working in vain if all a white player needs to do is stand next to a bigger black guy to avoid getting the booking.
Can I just point out that there's to be no bad words said about Paul Scholes on this board, thanks, that's all.
Don't think I said anything bad really. An incredible player but tackling wasn't his strong point for United or England.His disciplinary record could justifiably been a lot worse. Same can easily be said for Shearer - he got away with plenty.
You could say that tackling wasn't his strong point or that he was a dirty little bastard and both would be true. Shearer was dirty as **** in his later years, didn't have the pace anymore so compensated by fouling constantly.
In all honesty Ndong is no Cattermole if we are comparing him to any player past or present it's Colback for me and even then I don't think he's as good. By this I mean he doesn't put in the big tackles and he doesn't assist or score goals. I honestly don't think I've seen him have a shot. Which in 15 games as a central midfielder is worrying. Cattermole at least is in people's faces and actually has a good passing game. Cattermole is head and shoulders above Ndong in my opinion and if we had, had Catts and Kirchoff fully fit all season we would be in a much better position than we are currently in.
NDong is definitely a 'box to box' player, he has got great energy. Unfortunately, he's just not very good with a football at his feet.
N'Dong's pass completion for his 12 apps is 87% and that's good by any standard. Suggests that he's a composed player on the ball, that sort of stat is usually attributed to the team 'engine'. Perhaps he'll look more effective on the pitch when he gets a regular partner in CM.
N'Dong has time on his side and can improve his game. His presence last season, alongside Kirchhoff and M'Vila, in a midfield three would certainly have been better than the three that turned out for most games.
Had you told me we had paid £4m instead of £14m I wouldn't be surprised. Apparently we've got no money to spend this Jan but we smashed out transfer record on a young unproved lad playing in France just a few months ago I think he's got potential and is still raw still. He certainly shouldn't be expected to take a game by the scruff of the neck and drag us out of the **** we're currently in. Not his fault the weight of expectation that comes with a record transfer fee.
